The European Commission has announced plans to introduce a new optional EU-wide corporate form, ‘EU Inc.’, as part of a proposed ‘28th regime’ intended to enable companies to operate under a single harmonised legal framework across the EU. The initiative is aimed at addressing regulatory fragmentation within the Single Market, where businesses expanding across borders must currently navigate 27 legal systems and numerous national company forms, often resulting in delays and increased administrative costs.

The European Commission has announced that the new Steel Regulation enters into application on 1 July 2026 and has published an Implementing Regulation setting out the distribution of tariff quotas among the EU's trading partners. The new regime replaces the EU's steel safeguard and introduces reduced overall tariff quotas, tariff-free quotas of 18.3 million tonnes per year and a 50% out-of-quota duty for 26 categories of steel products imported into the EU. The Implementing Regulation will apply for up to six months from 1 July 2026 under the urgency procedure, with Member States to vote within 14 days of its adoption by the College of Commissioners. It will then be re-submitted under the normal comitology procedure before the end of 2026.

The European Commission has announced the adoption of a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) with Australia, concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA), and agreed to launch negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe, with the FTA finalised by European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and the SDP signed by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Australian ministers in March 2026. These measures aim to strengthen EU–Australia relations in response to geopolitical uncertainty by establishing structured cooperation on security and expanding collaboration in research and innovation. The SDP provides a formal framework for coordination on strategic priorities, including crisis management, maritime and cyber security, emerging technologies, and regional stability, reflecting shared commitments to multilateralism and the rules-based international order.

The European Commission announced that the Joint Research Centre (JRC) has launched BimmoH, a database housing scientific articles on human biology-based models in biomedical research. Developed under a European Parliament Pilot Project, BimmoH leverages AI to analyse millions of papers and is designed to support EU animal welfare policies through the 'Three Rs' (replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use in research) principle. Intended as a resource for regulators, policymakers, and industry professionals, the tool will aid in decision-making for drug development and safety assessments. Ultimately, BimmoH is a key initiative in advancing the EU Strategy for European Life Sciences.

The European Commission and European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has announced a €17.5bn financing initiative to support energy efficiency improvements in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The programme, running from 2025-2027, aims to reach 350,000 companies and mobilise €65bn in total investment. The initiative introduces a one-stop-shop system for SMEs and includes EU budget guarantees through InvestEU and LIFE programmes. A new working group under the European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition will address implementation barriers.

The European Commission has announced the adoption of a delegated regulation adding six new categories of products to the list of exemptions under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (the Batteries Regulation), allowing portable batteries in those products to be removable and replaceable by independent professionals rather than end users where this is justified on safety, technical or functional grounds. The new exemptions apply to wearable devices, including smartwatches and fitness trackers, rechargeable electric toys, products within the scope of Directive 2014/34/EU (the Equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) Directive), wireless food thermometer probes, on-body medicinal product delivery systems, and certain roof-mounted telematics devices used for agricultural and construction machinery. The Commission has also updated its guidelines on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries to reflect these new exemptions and to provide manufacturers with guidance on their implementation.

The European Commission has announced the adoption of its strategy for the savings and investments union (SIU), which aims to create better financial opportunities for EU citizens, while enhancing the EU financial system’s capability to connect savings with productive investments. According to the Commission, this will lead to more choice for savers who wish to grow their household wealth and allow businesses across Europe to grow.

The European Commission has announced that, from 19 July 2026, large companies across the EU are prohibited from destroying unsold clothes, clothing accessories and footwear under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation). The measure is intended to reduce waste by requiring businesses to prioritise selling, donating or preparing unsold products for reuse, with destruction permitted only in limited circumstances, including where products are unsafe, damaged, counterfeit, infringe intellectual property rights or have been rejected by charities or donation schemes. Companies relying on these exemptions must retain supporting evidence, publish annual reports on discarded products, and keep records for five years, while national authorities will monitor compliance and may impose penalties for breaches. Medium-sized companies will become subject to the same requirements from 2030, while small and micro-businesses are exempt.

The European Commission announced that 21 European airlines have agreed to modify their practices regarding environmental claims deemed misleading by the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network, following discussions with the Commission and the CPC Network. The airlines committed to ending misleading environmental marketing suggesting that consumers could neutralise, offset, or directly reduce CO₂ emissions through financial contributions or the use of alternative aviation fuels. They also agreed to stop claiming that the CO₂ emissions of specific flights could be neutralised, offset, or directly reduced by such contributions or fuel use. In addition, the airlines pledged to use the term 'sustainable aviation fuels' only when clearly substantiated, avoid vague or implicit green claims, ensure CO₂ calculations are displayed transparently, and present any net-zero commitments clearly and with supporting scientific evidence. National consumer protection authorities intend to monitor the implementation of these commitments and may take enforcement action where necessary, while the CPC Network intends to assess the practices of other airlines operating in the Single Market and, where appropriate, require similar commitments.

The European Commission has announced the completion of the first round of activities of the Hydrogen Mechanism operated under the EU Energy and Raw Materials Platform. The mechanism registered 265 supply opportunities across 33 countries, including 16 EU Member States, covering renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives. In addition, 45 offtake projects were registered. Market participants on both the supply and demand sides demonstrated strong engagement, with expressions of interest submitted for 87% of the supply opportunities. Additionally, 50% of suppliers received interest from at least 3 potential offtakers. The supply pipeline comprised 47 projects for renewable or low-carbon ammonia, 37 for methanol, 14 for e-sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and 18 for e-methane, with price indications provided for 54% of the opportunities. With the matching phase now complete, participants are expected to continue discussions independently to explore future collaborations. The Commission is now considering next steps for the mechanism, including ways to support infrastructure development.

The European Commission has announced that the EU and India have concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) aimed at strengthening trade and economic relations between the two sides. The Commission describes the agreement is the largest trade deal either side has concluded to date.

The European Commission has announced that, from 2 August 2026, its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Office, together with national competent authorities, will begin enforcing key provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (the AI Act), including new transparency requirements for certain AI systems and rules for general-purpose AI (GPAI) models. Under the transparency requirements, chatbots and other interactive AI systems must inform users when they are interacting with AI, while AI-generated or AI-manipulated content, including deepfakes, must be labelled and include machine-readable markings. The Commission has also published a list of more than 180 organisations that have signed the Code of Practice on transparency of AI-generated content.